NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Sunil Arora invited to join top international democracy body IDEA: Former chief
election commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora has been invited to join the board of
advisers at the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance,
also known as International IDEA. IDEA has a 15-member board of advisers, all
of whom are eminent personalities from a wide variety of backgrounds. The
election commission of India official statement that Sunil Arora has rich
leadership experience, knowledge and skills to contribute significantly to the
working of the International Institute. Sunil Arora had served as the 23rd
Chief Election Commissioner of India from December 2018 to April 2021. It was
under his tenure that the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections were conducted. About the
International IDEA:
(1) The International Institute for
Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) was established in
1995. It is an intergovernmental organization based in Stockholm, Sweden. India
is one of the founding members of the institute.
(2)The key mission of International IDEA is
to support sustainable democracy worldwide. It currently has 34 member
countries, which include new, old, small and large democracies from all
continents.
Note: International Institute for Democracy
and Electoral Assistance Founded: 27 February 1995; International Institute for
Democracy and Electoral Assistance Stockholm, Sweden; International Institute
for Democracy and Electoral Assistance Secretary-General: Kevin Casas-Zamora.
2.
RBI: Gujarat became India’s Largest Manufacturing Hub: Gujarat has left
behind Maharashtra to become the country’s leading manufacturing hub, according
to data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Gujarat saw its Gross Value
Addition (GVA) in manufacturing grow by 15.9 per cent annually between FY12 to
FY20 to stand at Rs 5.11 lakh crore, data shows. GVA is an economic metric that
measures the supply of goods and services in an economy. Meanwhile,
Maharashtra’s annual growth rate stood at nearly half of Gujarat’s at 7.5 per
cent for the same time period and its GVA for manufacturing stood at Rs 4.34
lakh crore in FY20. Maharashtra is still the leading provider of services in
India, with the state’s services GVA growing by 12.6 per cent annually,
standing at Rs 15.1 lakh crore in FY20.
Note: Gujarat Capital: Gandhinagar; Gujarat
Governor: Acharya Devvrat; Gujarat Chief minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel.
3.
Unix signs Jasprit Bumrah as Brand Ambassador: Unix, an Indian
Mobile Accessories manufacturing brand, has signed Indian Cricket Fast Bowler,
Jasprit Bumrah as its Brand Ambassador to increase the visibility of their
products. The products include wearable mobile electronics such as Chargers,
Earphones, Data Cables, Power Banks, Wireless Speakers, Smartphone Batteries,
Bluetooth neckbands and TWS are mostly manufactured and marketed across India
through distributors.
4. A
book on ‘Public Service Ethics’ authored by Prabhat Kumar: The Vice President
of India, M Venkaiah Naidu launched ‘Public Service Ethics- A Quest for Naitik
Bharat’ authored by Prabhat Kumar, published by IC Centre for Governance, at
Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas, New Delhi. The book highlights the multiple dimensions
element of human character, the practice of ethical principles as a way of
life. It marked the importance of accountability, integrity, transparency and
trustworthiness of the public governance system.
5. VP
launched book ‘The Midway Battle: Modi’s Roller-coaster Second Term’: Vice President (VP)
M. Venkaiah Naidu launched a book titled ‘The Midway Battle: Modi’s
Roller-coaster Second Term’ authored by Gautam Chintamani and published by
Bloomsbury India at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas, New Delhi. The book mentioned the
political scenario of India. It marks the second tenure of the current Prime
Minister Narendra Modi. The Midway Battle shed light on the various
legislations like the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, triple talaq, the
Citizenship (Amendment) Act as well as farming laws.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Adama Barrow wins second term as Gambia’s President: The President of
Gambia, Adama Barrow, won the second term as President during Gambia’s
presidential election by achieving over 53% votes from 50 of 53 constituencies.
He defeated his main challenger Ousainou Darboe who won 27.7% of vote. The
results of the election were declared by Electoral commission Chairman Alieu
Momarr Njai. Adama Barrow’s assumption as President 5 years ago ended more than
20 years of the dictatorship of former dictator Yahya Jammeh.
Note: Gambia Capital: Banjul; Gambia
Currency: Gambian dalasi.
2.
International Mountain Day: 11th December: International Mountain Day is
observed globally on December 11 every year. The day is celebrated to create
awareness about the importance of mountains to life, to highlight the
opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build alliances
that will bring positive change to mountain peoples and environments around the
world. The theme of this year’s International Mountain Day (IMD) on 11 December
will be sustainable mountain tourism. Sustainable tourism in mountains can
contribute to creating additional and alternative livelihood options and
promoting poverty alleviation, social inclusion, as well as landscape and
biodiversity conservation. It is a way to preserve the natural, cultural and
spiritual heritage, to promote local crafts and high-value products, and
celebrate many traditional practices such as local festivals.
History of the day: The day was
established by the UN General Assembly in 2003 to encourage the sustainable
development of mountains. United Nations had declared 2002 as the UN
International Year of Mountains. Mountains are home to 15% of the world´s
population and host about half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. They
provide fresh water for everyday life to half of humanity. Their conservation
is a key factor for sustainable development and is part of Goal 15 of the SDGs.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
BWF: Viktor Axelsen, Tai Tzu Ying named 2021 BWF Player of the Year: Denmark’s Viktor
Axelsen and China’s Taipei’s Tai Tzu Ying were named Male and Female player of
the year 2021 respectively by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). It was the
first season-ending award in this category for both Vicktor Axelsen and Tai Tzu
Ying — the All England champions of 2020. Viktor Axelsen is the Olympic
champion and Tai Tzu Ying is the Tokyo Games, silver medallist. Viktor Axelsen
was rewarded for his extraordinary run starting from the Barcelona Spain
Masters in February 2020.
Other awards:
|
Category |
Name |
|
Most improved player
of the Year |
Lee Yang and Wang
Chi-Lin |
|
Pair of the Year |
Greysia Polii and
Apriyani Rahayu |
|
Para Badminton Pair of
the Year |
Lucas Mazur and
Faustine Noel |
|
Female Para Badminton
Player of the Year |
Leani Ratri Oktila |
|
Male Para Badminton Player
of the Year |
Qu Zimo |
|
Eddy Choong Most
Promising Player |
Kunlavut Vitidsarn |
|
Special mention |
Kevin Cordon |
Note: Badminton World Federation Founded:
1934; Badminton World Federation Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
Badminton World Federation President: Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
PNB launched “PNB Pride-CRMD module” app for differently-abled employees: Punjab National
Bank (PNB) launched the PNB Pride-CRMD module tool, an android-based
application for differently-abled employees to monitor and effectively follow
up with the special mention account (SMA) borrowers. The Pride-CRMD module has
built-in TalkBack software that allows the visually impaired to access the
system freely and to interact with customers by tapping on their phones. Punjab
National Bank emphasized the abilities of differently-abled staff members and
the utilization of their skills in the conceptualization of PNB warriors and
implementation of PNB Pride. Aim of the app:
(1) The app aims to promote the rights and
well-being of persons with disabilities, it said, adding that the platform
opens new vistas of opportunities for ‘PNB Warriors’ with visual or any other
physical impairment, helping them to make a valuable and tangible contribution.
(2) This tool shall be compatible with iOS
also very soon, it said. SMA accounts are stressed loans recognized early,
enabling banks to initiate timely remedial actions, and preventing such
borrowers from slipping to the non-performing assets (NPA).
Note: Punjab National Bank Founded: 1894;
Punjab National Bank Headquarters: New Delhi; Punjab National Bank MD &
CEO: S. S. Mallikarjuna Rao; Punjab National Bank Tagline: The Name You Can
Bank Upon.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Ravindra Jadeja ropes as Brand Ambassador of Kinara Capital: Bangalore based
innovative, fast-growing fintech, Kinara Capital signed the Indian cricketer
Ravindra Jadeja, as its official brand ambassador on the occasion of the
company’s 10th anniversary. Kinara Capital provide loan service to India’s
MSMEs. Till date, Kinara Capital has disbursed 70,000 collateral-free loans.
With this partnership, Kinara aims to boost its outreach in financing the MSME
sector in the country. With a current AUM of INR 1000 crores, Kinara Capital
plans to grow 500 per cent by the year 2025.
DEFENCE
1.
GRSE launches first large survey vessel Sandhayak for Indian Navy: Indian shipbuilder
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) has achieved a new milestone
with the launch of the first large survey vessel for the Indian Navy. Called
Sandhayak, the vessel is the first in the series of four ships being built
under the Survey Vessel Large (SVL) project. It has been built at GRSE. Indian
State Defence Minister Ajay Bhatt, who was present at the launch ceremony, said
that the ship’s launch is a new milestone for the country’s vision of ‘New
India’ by 2030. In October 2018, the Indian Ministry of Defence and GRSE signed
the contract to build the four survey ships. Featuring over 80% indigenous
content by cost, the ships are fully designed by GRSE and are being built using
‘Integrated Construction’ concepts.
Note: GRSE Chairman & Managing
Director: Rear Admiral V K Saxena; GRSE Headquarters: Kolkata, West Bengal.
OBITUARIES
1. India’s 1st Woman Psychiatrist Sarada Menon passes away: Padma Bhushan Dr Mamballaikalathil Sarada Menon, India’s 1st woman Psychiatrist and the longest-serving head of the Institute of Mental Health has passed away. She was born in a Malayali family in Mangaluru, Karnataka. She was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1992 for social works.
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